Our panel breaks down a contract with the state's largest public employee union, the governor's push for clean energy and an audit of the Illinois Department of Employment Security that found lack of controls led to massive amount of fraud and overpayments during the pandemic.

State Week: New AFSCME deal; Audit shows $5.2 billion in overpayments

Illinois will become the first state to do away with cash bail starting in September.

State Week: Court upholds the elimination of cash bail

On this episode, we speak with reporters from ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Lee Enterprises and Capitol News Illinois.

State Week: Investigation finds systemic problems in Illinois' developmental centers

Last year's Highland Park 4th of July parade was the scene of a mass shooting that left seven dead and injured dozens. State lawmakers responded with an assault weapons ban. Court challenges to the law continue.

State Week: A year after the shooting that spurred Illinois' assault weapons ban 

The governor, who has touted the president and put his own ambitions on hold, held a fundraiser for Biden during his visit to Chicago. Biden heaped praise on Pritzker saying he "helped me more than anybody in America get elected last time."

State Week: Pritzker does his part for Biden's re-election

The Pritzker Administration is limiting enrollment as a way to hold down costs. But is there a political price?

State Week: Pritzker takes heat over immigrant health care limits

A law signed this week is believed to be the first in the nation prohibiting book bans at school and public libraries.

State Week: Illinois pushes back against book bans

From early childhood to higher education, the new spending plan provides more resources.

State Week: Education is a winner in new state budget

Our panel discusses how a new spending plan made it through the Illinois legislature, an update on the Chicago Bears' efforts to move to the suburbs and Republicans in the state begin lining up behind presidential hopefuls.

State Week: Budget deal recap

Illinois lawmakers and the governor reached agreement on a new spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1. Also, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a scathing report on clergy sex abuse within the Catholic church.

State Week: Budget deal reached; Report on clergy sex abuse 

An analysis of the week in Illinois politics and government from the NPR Illinois.comments@stateweek.org

The Illinois legislature has missed its scheduled adjournment date. So what happens next?

State Week: Not so fast on a new budget

Revenue estimates have dropped in recent weeks, which could mean many groups seeking additional funding will wind up disappointed. They'll know soon as state lawmakers have set May 19 as their spring adjournment date.

State Week: Work on a new state budget gets more difficult

The former CEO of Commonwealth Edison and three former lobbyists for the utility were found guilty this week in what prosecutors described as a bribery scheme to gain favor with ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

State Week: Guilty on all counts

Deliberations have begun in the bribery trial of four former Commonwealth Edison officials.

State Week: In the hands of the jury

Chicago's next mayor spoke to lawmakers at the Illinois statehouse.

State Week: Mr. Johnson goes to Springfield

Illinois, especially under the Pritzker Administration, has become a haven for abortion and tilted more left on many other social issues.

State Week: Illinois and the Progressive Movement

Brandon Johnson

Johnson defeated Paul Vallas to become the next mayor of Chicago.

State Week: Brandon Johnson's Chicago victory and the challenges ahead

Fidel Marquez is a former Commonwealth Edison executive turned government informant. His testimony dominated the federal trial of four other former ComEd officials during the week.

State Week: Key government witness on the stand in ComEd bribery trial

Two weeks into the trial, what have we learned so far?

State Week: Corruption or lobbying? Jurors will decide in ComEd bribery trial

Both sides in the debate over cash bail argued before the Illinois Supreme Court this week. We also talk with a reporter about a series that uncovered abuse and neglect at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna.

State Week: Cash bail goes before the high court; Changes planned for Choate

Great nonpartisan coverage of Illinois politics.

Fantastic podcast

Great layout of IL current policy and of politicians.

Awesome

State Week

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!